Sustainable skills in focus as college celebrates apprenticeship week

East Riding College has been celebrating apprenticeships week alongside local employers. 

Employers were invited to Yorkshire and Humber Institute of Technology at its Beverley campus, with staff, students and apprentices on hand to showcase the specialist training facilities for high-level engineering and technical disciplines. 

The Institute, which has brought investment of over £2m of capital funding, aims to boost employment opportunities and improve the number of suitably qualified candidates in the technical and professional jobs market.

With developments such as Humber Freeport and the Energy Estuary, qualified engineers and technicians are in demand in the region.

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, the college also launched its new faculty of advanced automotive technologies, which is investing in green technologies and developing curriculum to meet the growing need for electric vehicle technicians and electricians who can install EV charging points.

To aid in the delivery of EV courses, the college has invested in two of the latest EV models - the all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Toyota C-HR Hybrid, following a successful bid to the Skills Accelerator Development Fund.

Alex Sheldon, head of curriculum for construction and engineering said, “Our curriculum is always designed to meet the specific needs of local employers.

“Because of the fast-paced changes in the automotive industry, and the Government targets to transition to zero-emissions motoring by 2035, the electric motoring curriculum is evolving in exciting ways to meet the needs of industry. Our learners will be ready for the future.”

One of those getting to grips with the state-of-the-art equipment was Cameron Webber, 20, from Bridlington, who is 16 months into his apprenticeship with Carnaby-based business AB Graphic International.

“It’s great to learn all sides of it and nice to see how far I’ve come from when I started,” he said.

The machinery and equipment matches up to industry standard, and was installed after consultation with employers.

“We’ve got similar machinery so employers know their apprentices are learning what they need to be able to carry out their duties at work,” said Laura Shakespeare, another head of curriculum.

Darren Bowness, quality control, manufacturing and engineering manager at AB Graphic International - manufacturers of innovative print finishing equipment, said: “The skills they are learning will stay with them for the rest of their careers.

“Here they can learn core skills they will need in the workplace.”

There are just under 400 apprentices on programmes at the college currently.

Apprenticeships are not just for 16-18 year-olds, but for adults as well. A full list of vacancies can be found on the college website.

College principal Mike Welsh said: “The theme of National Apprenticeships Week this year is how apprenticeships ‘build the future’: how they can help individuals to develop their skills and career, and how they can help businesses to develop a talented workforce in possession of future-ready skills.

“I know apprenticeships can kick-start rewarding careers and have benefited employers immensely, creating a ‘home-grown’ workforce that provides incredible return on investment by upskilling existing employees, filling skills gaps, and helping to future-proof their business.”

The new institute includes a CAD suite, science lab and specialist industry standard workshop so higher-level engineers can learn advanced skills.

The IoT at East Riding College is part of a regional IoT formed by a consortium of colleges, and is one of only twelve Institutes of Technology across the country.

IoTs are a Government initiative designed to help close technical skills gaps in key STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) areas and provide employers with the skilled workforce they need.